Reddit mentions of Winegard FL5500A FlatWave Amped Digital HD Indoor Amplified TV Antenna (4K Ready / ATSC 3.0 Ready / High-VHF / UHF), 50 Mile Long Range

I just purchased something similar at my local Home Depot and it has worked amazingly especially as a college student who wants to keep low utilities and bills.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Winegard-Flatwave-Razor-Thin-Indoor-HDTV-Antenna-FL5000H/203972854#.UmKTryStId4

http://www.amazon.com/Winegard-FL5500A-FlatWave-Amplified-Antenna/dp/B00BN5Z2WM

I would maybe post this question to/browse https://www.reddit.com/r/cordcutters

I currently have this configuration. I have a HDHomeRun Extend and two Apple TV's. The HDHomeRun Extend will only give you access to over the air tv, where I live that is about 15-20 channels. I wouldn't go as far as saying its a replacement for a 100 VIP cable package. There will be channels that are simply not offered OTA for free. It is more along of the lines of local or basic programming.

You can go here and input your location to see available channels and what type of antennae you would need
https://www.tvfool.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29

Here are some links to what I have for pricing.
http://www.amazon.com/SiliconDust-HDTC-2US-HDHomeRun-EXTEND-2-Tuner/dp/B00GY0UB6I
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BN5Z2WM?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00

I'm in South Durham and have [this one.] (http://www.amazon.com/Winegard-FlatWave-FL5500A-Amplified-Ultra-Thin/dp/B00BN5Z2WM) It's mounted in my garage and I get all the big network local channels perfectly. It works' in my house to, only reason I have it in the garage is because I have a cable splitter there that goes to all the outlets in the house.

If you have a Costco membership it's way cheaper there than on Amazon.

Depends where you live and what your home is like. In Hampden/Wyman Park, I'm like a mile from TV hill so I've picked up channels just using a paperclip before. My advice for others considering it would be to run a TV Fool report for your address, and gauge from there. In most cases within city limits, the indoor Wingard FlatWave should work just fine. (That one's amplified but you may even be able to get by with the non-amplified version, too.)

Winegard FL5500A FlatWave Amped Digital HD Indoor Amplified TV Antenna (4K Ready / ATSC 3.0 Ready / High-VHF / UHF), 50 Mile Long Range https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BN5Z2WM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_zmyIDbNB43XVD

I have this one and it works fantastic:

https://www.amazon.ca/Winegard-FL5500A-FlatWave-Amplified-Antenna/dp/B00BN5Z2WM

indoor. This model. I'm in eastview and get pick it up np with this antenna if that helps. Anything within 50 miles.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00BN5Z2WM/ref=s9_acsd_hps_bw_c_x_2_w

I dropped U-verse a couple of months ago and at first went with a basic leaf antenna but I only got a handful of stations and they were often pixelated and would drop regularly. I moved up to this one Winegard FL5500A that was amplified and that made all the difference for me. Now I get 40+ stations but all I really wanted were the big networks and those come in crystal clear. The quality of the picture surpasses what I was getting with AT&T U-verse. Topography in my area is flat and my distance to the main tower is about 23 miles so your terrain could influence what channels you pick up. I put the antenna on an outside facing window about 8 feet up, the coax cable it comes with is almost 20 feet long so you have plenty of length to get into a good position for reception.

I purchased this antenna and it has worked very well since I installed it. While its price seems pretty steep (Amazon has a cheaper alternative. I don't know how effective it is though), you get the same channels and you just pay once rather than monthly.

I'm going to echo the other two responses: although I did it for years, free cable from the coax wall jack is impossible anymore (it's now encrypted and requires a tuner box). However, you can get ~40 channels OTA (over-the-air) including the major networks by using an antenna (go here and put in your zip code). For ~$50, you can get one that works and looks good. For ~$10 you can use some "bunny ears". And for ~$5 and half an hour you can actually build your own (and it works amazingly well!). I've done all 3 and had no problems getting enough channels in the metro area.

So, I've never had cable since I was at home with my parents but i'd like to have some access to local channels. The availability of stations is pretty limited, but I'd really like to access them as they do both have worthwhile content (news, weather, etc.).

I'm just trying to figure out if i should go amplified or not. I want to make a good choice as I'll probability have to buy online and returning things that way is a major PITA.

From reading the wiki here I'm pretty disappointed to see that they are 2 edge. Is there hope for me? I live about half way down a big slope towards the ocean.

from my research and needs I have narrowed it down to a couple:

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/antennas-direct-antennas-direct-clearstream-indoor-outdoor-digital-tv-antenna-c2-v-cjm-cn-c2-v-cjm-cn/10319740.aspx?path=85260495e5d2bb28aa92898f739fd3d0en02

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/antennas-direct-antennas-direct-clearstream-amplified-indoor-digital-tv-antenna-csm1-xg-cn-csm1-xg-cn/10319742.aspx?path=6af036befea226fff2956a90e4d0f193en02

https://www.amazon.ca/Pictek-Amplified-Ultra-thin-Detachable-Amplifier/dp/B01F88D5AA/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1479674085&sr=1-1&keywords=indoor+antenna

https://www.amazon.ca/Winegard-FL5500A-FlatWave-Amplified-Antenna/dp/B00BN5Z2WM/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1479674112&sr=1-1&keywords=indoor+antenna

Buy best I can likely return in store, so I'd like to go that route.

if you have any suggestions for me, let me know.

At short distance like that, try paper clip first. Seriously. You are VERY close.

https://www.instructables.com/id/Paperclip-Antenna/

Otherwise, unamplified Flat Antenna is next step up, such as

https://www.amazon.com/Winegard-FlatWave-FL-2000-High-VHF-Ultra-Thin/dp/B015JV4QHC/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=120G6VKLH008Y&keywords=winegard+flatwave&qid=1569966265&sprefix=winegard+%2Caps%2C282&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExQTJBSDA3SEhaTENRJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMzMxNzI4MUdGRlk5NEY1M0xINiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMzI5MjI4MUs5TjhRT0xXUzRXRyZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

After that is amplified Flat antenna, such as

https://www.amazon.com/Winegard-FlatWave-FL5500A-Amplified-Ultra-Thin/dp/B00BN5Z2WM/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=120G6VKLH008Y&keywords=winegard+flatwave&qid=1569966360&sprefix=winegard+%2Caps%2C282&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyQUg5R0RZMDdIV1JaJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMDEzNDU1RTBCU1VTMEhIUDQwJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAwMjkxMzcySzVXREVGOFNZQjRSJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

More antenna is not necessarily better. You are close enough that over-saturation is a potential problem (which, should it occur, is addressable with attenuator).

I've read a lot on Reddit recommending this; however I jumped on a deal ($40) for this one. I haven't received it yet, but really hoping it helps because I have trouble with NBC and ABC which are also VHF where I'm at.

Thanks! Haha I am lucky w/ that location! Isn't Leaf bad for VHF channels like channel 8 for Cleveland?

I am also looking at this one too http://www.amazon.com/Winegard-FreeVision-FV-30BB-HDTV-Antenna/dp/B003L76BJS/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t

And this one as well http://www.amazon.com/Winegard-FL5500A-FlatWave-Amplified-Antenna/dp/B00BN5Z2WM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1412477557&sr=8-2&keywords=Winegard+FlatWave+HDTV+Indoor+Digital+Flat+Antenna+amped

I went with the Winegard Flatwave Amped:

Winegard FlatWave Amped FL5500A Amplified Digital Indoor HD TV Antenna (OTA / High-VHF / UHF / Ultra-Thin / Black and White - Reversible / USB Power Supply) - 50 Mile Long Range https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BN5Z2WM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_RUvOybCD22K2M

It works great for me, but I imagine it's all dependent on your area. Make sure you do your homework before selecting any equipment.

I had this issue and found out my antenna was UHF only. I ended up buying a Winegard Flatwave Amped off amazon and it works great. The non amplified version would likely work too as the towers aren't that far away but they had a good open box deal on the amped version. It is rated for both VHF and UHF.

Got mine from Amazon and has been great. I'm in a house just west of downtown and get pretty much all of the available channels.

Amazon also has a similar one now from a different company but for a lower price

https://www.amazon.com/Winegard-FlatWave-FL5500A-Amplified-Ultra-Thin/dp/B00BN5Z2WM/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1474038988&sr=1-1&keywords=winegard+antenna

Best one in the market, read the reviews. I have one in my attic, works great. My son has his laying on the floor of his house and he has no issues, too lazy to mount it.

When I looked at the HD over the air maps, I was discouraged too. I purchased the Winegard FL5500A FlatWave Amplified Razor Thin HDTV Indoor Antenna a couple months ago. It has a built in amplifier that you plug in to a regular power outlet which seems to make a ton of difference. We live on the 2nd floor in the northeast part of Athens and have it mounted on a west facing window that has a pretty clear view to the west - not many obstructions. We get all of the major networks (ABC, CBS, Fox, CW) except NBC. We also get WPCH (Peachtree TV), WATL (My ATL), Univision, and some bible channels. We don't get PBS either for some reason. Obviously YMMV but short of having an antenna outdoors this is about as good as it gets. The Mohu Leaf is also a very highly rated indoor antenna but I don't have any experience with it. Good luck!

Went a little baller and got this guy. Mainly because I keep seeing people talking about winegard antennas https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BN5Z2WM/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

So unless you're really near South Mountain that type of stuff won't work well, or reliably.

I use this, personally. I have it on a window on my second floor.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BN5Z2WM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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What you probably want is either:

A) An outdoor antenna and hook it into your internal COAX port for the right TV.

B) An indoor antenna pointed towards South Mountain with a clear line of site if possible.

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What I did was hooked it up to the window in my daughters room since she doesn't have a TV, etc. Then hooked that COAX port to the one I have my PLEX DVR hooked into and that works for me.

/u/WarpSeven /u/topcat5 /u/joeisalsocool /u/Mr_You

It's so weird - here's a 10 sec. video of the quality during the postgame on-field interview (about 11:40 PM last night):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSOsHKyAD4k

Here's the same channel this morning around 11:30 AM, everything replicated exactly the same (same lights on, sitting in the same spot, both while browsing on laptop):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDCgObsNXWY

Obviously there were other alternatives yesterday (Twitter), I just thought there might be something to it that a lot of people were probably watching the NFL game, but apparently not.

Hopefully it was just a blip. That's the first time it's happened since I moved the antenna to its current placement, for any channel. I'll just keep checking it this weekend (college games on CBS, NFL games on Sunday, next TNF game on CBS, etc.).

Edit: Actually this antenna is the Winegard FlatWave Amped FL5500A Amplified Digital Indoor HD TV Antenna (OTA / High-VHF / UHF / Ultra-Thin / Black and White from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BN5Z2WM/

Thank you. I deiced to go with the Winegard FL5500A . Only because it does both bands. I have an RCA right now, but I am looking for both bands, and good reception. Also, it is on sale at Woot

Are those attic mountable? I do have an attic I can place one in, I just wouldn't know what to do with the wiring

Is something like this viable? if placed in a window facing the right direction? It says 50 range. Much easier to set up, but I don't want to waste money if it's insufficient

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BN5Z2WM/ref=nav_timeline_asin?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I have a similar mostly green profile as you and I am doing great with a used model of this antenna that I bought from Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Winegard-FL5500A-FlatWave-Amplified-Antenna/dp/B00BN5Z2WM/

I also have an RCA flat antenna from a few years back, which only gets me Global and absolutely nothing else. I've tried a few other things, but I live in the middle of a concrete walk-up in Centretown so there's no real hope for me. The one I currently have is this one, and I can get about 10-14 channels with it. Maybe 4 of those channels are desirable ones. It's not 100% reliable, but it's decent.

Do you think that rabbit ears with a loop would be better than the amplified antenna I linked above? It's infinitely better than the flat RCA antenna in my experience.

https://www.amazon.com/Winegard-FlatWave-FL5500A-Amplified-Ultra-Thin/dp/B00BN5Z2WM

I saw someone post the link above in another thread but you suggested to consider spending less money haha.

Wrong.

(they are made and designed in IOWA - example)

http://www.amazon.com/Winegard-FL5500A-FlatWave-Amplified-Antenna/dp/B00BN5Z2WM/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1411431878&sr=1-1&keywords=winegard+fl5500a

I have this one. Works great from Willow Ave.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BN5Z2WM/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'm in a pretty obstructed area (buildings in the way of the antennas) so I choose the amplified option of this antenna. Rescan every couple of months, but totally worth it. /r/cordcutters has a lot of great info about antennas and locating antennas so if you have a choice you can know where to set up your antenna to get the best reception.

Thanks gabstance! I am thinking of giving this one a try https://www.amazon.com/Winegard-FlatWave-FL5500A-Amplified-Ultra-Thin/dp/B00BN5Z2WM/ - Not sure if same as yours but most legit I could find. I don't see low-VHF on it anywhere but it should be an upgrade over the junk I bought earlier.

Edit: I checked with Winegard and a rep said none of their antennas pick up low vhf so I'm not just gonna throw money at it and hope.